Here are your latest football.london Chelsea headlines on Tuesday, September 20.
Kounde clarifies Barcelona have paid his wages in full
Jules Kounde has insisted that Barcelona have paid out his salary 'in full' despite the Spanish giants' ongoing financial problems. The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer as Thomas Tuchel looked to replenish his backline amid the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Responding to a question on his salary with Barcelona's money problems in mind, the player quote retweeted: "Salary has been paid in full, thanks for your concern my g."
Kounde has recently opened up on his decision to reject Chelsea, telling French publication L’Equipe as quoted by the Metro: "First, I come to a huge club, which has known good times and which, lately, has had less. I come to a project that I would not call reconstruction, because we already have a competitive team, but rather, being upturned."
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Liverpool advantage in Bellingham transfer race
Todd Boehly has been told why Liverpool have an advantage over Chelsea in the race to sign Jude Bellingham this summer. The 19-year-old has been heavily linked with an exit from Borussia Dortmund as he continues to impress at the Signal Iduna Park.
"He just fits in at Liverpool," former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider. "The way that he plays and the system Klopp plays, it is a great fit. Bellingham is an incredibly talented footballer.
"He still has his best years ahead of him. He already has an unbelievable reputation. His charisma on the ball is something special. I love watching him. To achieve what he has at such a young age is remarkable.
"I think he has been really clever with how he has managed his career and his career path. It is only a matter of time before he returns to England. I strongly suspect he will move to Liverpool because of the way they play. It suits him."
RB Salzburg chief responds to Freund Chelsea 'appointment'
Red Bull Salzburg chief Stephan Reiter has responded to claims that Chelsea are set to appoint Christoph Freund as their sporting director. Todd Boehly has been in the market for a transfer specialist to bolster the Blues' scouting network, with Paris Saint-Germain advisor Luis Campos and former Liverpool director Michael Edwards both said to have been in the running.
Freund has agreed to become the new sporting director at Stamford Bridge following extensive talks which started last month, football.london understands. The west Londoners will be hoping to wrap a deal up as soon as possible with the hope of having the 45-year-old in his new role ahead of the January transfer window.
However, it's believed that there is no an agreement with Freund's parent club RB Salzburg yet, as confirmed by Reiter to Sky Sport Austria, as quoted by the Metro. Speaking on the speculation regarding his colleague Freund, he said: "I can definitely rule that out.
"Neither Chelsea nor Christoph Freund spoke to me or the club management about something like that. Christoph recently signed a contract with us until 2026, which applies to him as well as to players, managers or coaches."
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